Supporters had been hopeful that Mr Albanese’s upcoming visit to China could be the catalyst for her release, but Beijing had not previously given any indication that it was prepared to let her go, despite repeated appeals by the Albanese government, including a direct plea by Mr Albanese to Xi Jinping. “Her matter was concluded through the legal processes in China,” Mr Albanese said. Mr Albanese said nothing had been negotiated with Beijing in return for Cheng’s release, with Chinese authorities taking into account time served in detention. “In May 2020, Cheng Lei was coaxed by personnel from an overseas agency, violated the confidentiality clause signed with the employing unit, and illegally provided the state secrets she mastered at work to the overseas agency through her mobile phone,” the ministry said in a statement.Ī Foreign Ministry spokesman said her case had been handled in “accordance with the law”. It said she had pleaded guilty to the charges. She was tried behind closed doors in March, but a verdict was not handed down at the time.Ĭhina’s Ministry of State Security said in a statement on Wednesday that Cheng had been deported after serving her full sentence of two years and 11 months. “This is an outcome that the Australian government has been seeking for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed, not just by her family and friends, but by all Australians.”īut hopes she would be freed rose after Mr Albanese confirmed he would visit Beijing this year.īeijing had accused her of providing state secrets to a foreign country, but details of the accusations were never previously made clear. “Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family,” the PM said. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies.”Ĭheng Lei met Foreign Minister Penny Wong and ambassador Graham Fletcher on her return to Melbourne. Mr Albanese spoke briefly to Cheng, who has requested privacy.Ĭheng posted an emotional message on Twitter, now known as X, on Wednesday night: “Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday that Cheng had returned to Australia. Canberra, Tokyo | Detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been freed from a Beijing prison and reunited with her two daughters in Melbourne, removing the biggest obstacle to repairing diplomatic ties with Canberra.
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